The University of Alabama in Huntsville and partner Calhoun Community College are about as far from the Gulf Coast as any other institutions of higher learning in Alabama.

The two Tennessee Valley schools, however, co-hosted an event to launch a $600,000 fellowship aimed at preparing students to address environmental, health, energy and infrastructure challenges faced by Gulf coastal states.

UAH was awarded the grant to join the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Scholars Program (GSP). This program, a five-year pilot project, is funded by the GSP. UAH is collaborating with Calhoun Community College to implement the program, enabling students to earn core credits that transfer between institutions.

When announcing the grant, Dr. Azita Amiri, a professor in the College of Nursing at UAH, said the program was aimed at preparing “the next generation of professionals, scholars, advocates and ‘change agents’ to address critical challenges in the Gulf of Mexico region.

“This highlights our commitment to fostering a diverse educational environment and advancing scholarly opportunities. The strong partnership between UAH and CCC ensures the program will be accessible to a diverse student body, particularly those from historically economically disadvantaged backgrounds and first-generation college students.”

The Gulf Scholars Program network now comprises 24 institutions across the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

Program goals:

Prepare students to tackle complex, real-world challenges in the Gulf region
Provide students with opportunities for academic and professional growth
Strengthen ties between UAH and Gulf communities
Attract talent to UAH
Focus on community-based learning and hands-on experiences
Address interconnected environmental systems at various levels
Support students in their educational journey through tuition and research-related travel
Empower students to make a meaningful impact on the Gulf region’s future

Students who complete the program will earn a certificate as a Gulf Scholar from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. The GSP is part of a five-year, $12.7 million pilot program seeking to support Gulf region colleges and universities in preparing undergraduate students to address critical challenges in community health and resilience, environmental protection and stewardship and offshore energy safety.

Addiction, which poses a significant challenge in the Gulf states, was a focus of the kickoff event held at the UAH College of Nursing Building. Effectively addressing this issue can greatly improve quality of life and increase life expectancy.

Performances during the event were designed to serve as a catalyst for guided audience discussions about substance use and addiction as these issues affect individuals, families, caregivers and communities.

Presentations:

The Addiction Performance Project featuring an accomplished group of film, television and stage actors aimed at breaking down stigmas associated with addiction and the impact on families involved.
Kathryn Erbe (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Oz)
Peter Francis James (The Rosa Parks Story, Godfather of Harlem)
Alex Morf (Daredevil, Mindhunter)
Marjolaine Goldsmith (Company Manager, Theater of War Productions)

According to research, educating communities about addiction, along with prioritizing treatment and prevention efforts, can lead to healthier populations and lower healthcare costs.